Drivers on the Tyne and Wear Metro are to get a chance to “try out” the cab areas of the new trains being built by Stadler with a full size and fully fitted out replica having been made. It will help with workforce familiarisation in preparation for the delivery of the new trains which are due to enter service from 2023.
The mock-up includes the full cab layout, a driver’s seat, a dashboard and the exterior has the new yellow livery and destination displays.
Neil Blagburn, Nexus Metro Development Director, said: “This gives you real sense of the exciting future that the new trains are going to bring to the Tyne and Wear Metro. The mock-up has been built to a stunning level of quality by Stadler, and it is playing a very important role in getting get the cab design right ahead of the real trains arriving in 2022. It is exactly to the scale of the new Metro cab and it has the same layout. Train crews can interact with the control panels and provide feedback on the ergonomics and comfort of the cab. It is an essential part of our design consultation and I know that the drivers really appreciate the opportunity to experience the new trains and have their final say on the design before trains start rolling off the production line later this year. The Covid-19 restrictions mean that we are currently unable to put the mock-up on public display. We hope that once the restrictions have eased off then we will be able let people have a closer look, as it gives a fascinating snapshot of what the new Metro trains are going to look like.”
The design of the cab was based on feedback from train crew last year using virtual reality technology. The next phase will given a final opportunity for the drivers to have their input into the design of their new, modern working environment.
The mock-up was built by Stadler in Germany and has now been assembled on a site in a workshop at the Metro depot in Gosforth where drivers will be able to try it out.
42 new trains are to be built by Stadler in Switzerland with all due to be delivered by 2024.